Hurghada: Scuba Diving for Beginners & Certified Divers

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is the chance to see the Red Sea below the surface twice in one day, even if you have never used scuba equipment before. You receive an instructor briefing before each underwater session, then visit two reef locations with time to snorkel, eat, and rest between them.

I like the patient one-to-one help for beginners and the simple value of a $30 day that includes hotel transport, a boat ride, lunch, equipment, and drinks. I also like that certified participants can choose a longer 30 to 40 minute session instead of the shorter 15 to 20 minute introductory format.

The main thing to consider is organization between activities. You may need to ask what happens next rather than wait for someone to find you, and one account described a long wait for the return transfer. Also, pickups from resort areas outside Hurghada cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Two underwater sessions: Beginners usually spend 15 to 20 minutes in the water per session, while certified participants may spend 30 to 40 minutes, depending on personal condition.
• Helpful first-timer support: Instructors explain the site before each session and offer close guidance for people who feel nervous.
• Snorkeling at the same reef areas: You can see fish and coral without scuba equipment during two planned snorkeling stops.
• A practical $30 package: Hotel pickup in Hurghada, boat transport, lunch, equipment, and unlimited soft and hot drinks are included.
• Extra cost for certified participants: Licensed scuba users need to select the certified option, priced at an additional €25 per person.
• Not a family scuba trip: Children under 12 cannot take part in scuba sessions, though they may snorkel.

Two Red Sea sessions from Hurghada

This is a full-day trip built around time on the water rather than a quick introductory lesson at the shore. A car collects you from your Hurghada hotel, then you board the boat and head toward the Red Sea reef areas.

The day includes two scuba sessions and two snorkeling stops, depending on the option you select. That makes the trip useful for comparing the two activities. You can watch fish and coral from the surface, then see more closely with an instructor below.

The exact reef names are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular famous site. The appeal is the structure: two separate opportunities in the water, with a break between them instead of one rushed session.

For a first-time participant, the second session can be especially valuable. The first 15 to 20 minutes give you time to get used to breathing through the regulator, moving with fins, and listening to hand signals. Once those basics feel less strange, the second session may feel calmer and more enjoyable.

What the first session feels like

Before each session, the instructor explains the location and what you need to know. The instructors work with beginners who have no license, and the strongest part of the trip is the calm support in the water.

That matters because the first few minutes can feel awkward. You are wearing unfamiliar equipment, looking through a mask, and adjusting to breathing underwater. The crew uses patience and humor to help nervous people settle down, while still treating safety and instruction seriously.

The introductory format lasts around 15 to 20 minutes per session, depending on your condition. One beginner account described the first session as a one-to-one experience, followed by a longer second session with a partner. The exact arrangement can vary, but you should expect the instructor to control the pace.

Do not think of this as independent scuba exploration. Beginners remain under professional supervision, and the instructor decides how far the session can go. That is a sensible setup for a first attempt, especially if you are uncertain about the equipment or your comfort in the water.

What certified participants should select

If you already hold a diving license, choose the certified option when booking. The standard beginner format is not the right choice for a qualified scuba user who wants a normal underwater session.

The certified option costs an extra €25 per person. Certified sessions usually last 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your condition, giving you more time than the introductory 15 to 20 minute format.

You should still expect a briefing before each session. The instructor explains the site, and the team provides the relevant equipment if it is included in your selected package. The available information does not specify the exact depth, current, certification requirements, or number of certified participants, so ask the operator if those details matter to your plans.

For an experienced scuba user, the reef itself is likely to be the main draw. One qualified participant described plenty of fish, coral, and living marine life, with the snorkeling area matching the underwater location used by the scuba group. That means non-scuba companions can still see much of the same setting from the surface.

Snorkeling gives the day a second rhythm

The snorkeling stops make this more than a scuba lesson. You can use them as a gentler introduction to the water, a break between sessions, or the main activity if you are traveling with someone who does not scuba.

Two snorkeling stops are included with the relevant option, along with snorkeling equipment. The reef areas contain different fish species and coral, though the precise marine life changes with conditions and location.

I like this arrangement because it gives you something to do even when you are waiting for another participant or taking a rest. The open sea can be relaxing, but a day on a boat feels longer when you have no plan between activities. Here, the schedule alternates between water time, rest, food, and views.

Children under 12 cannot take part in scuba sessions, but they can snorkel. That makes the trip possible for some families, although it is not a full family scuba outing. Pregnant women, people with heart or respiratory problems, and wheelchair users should not book this activity.

Life on the boat between water stops

The boat is your base for the day. Between the two reef locations, you can sit back, look across the Red Sea, and rest in the open air. Shower and bathroom facilities are available, which is useful during a full day away from shore.

Lunch is served buffet-style on board. The food is practical rather than a reason to book the trip, but it helps make the $30 price feel fair. One particularly useful detail is the unlimited supply of soft and hot drinks, including coffee, cola, and lemonade according to the available trip details.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and a hat. A camera is also sensible, though you should protect it from water and check how you will carry it during the boat ride. Bring cash as well, both for personal spending and because a tip for the crew may be appropriate if they have helped you with equipment, transfers, or nervous first attempts.

The boat has been described as clean and well maintained, though comfort during the vehicle transfer may be tighter than on the boat. If you are picked up with several other people, the car can feel cramped for the short journey.

Hotel pickup and the return ride

Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada. The transfer can make the trip much easier than arranging a taxi to the port, especially for an early start.

The pickup service also received praise for being prompt and helpful with getting in and out of the car. Still, transport is the part of the day where expectations should be realistic. One account described a lengthy wait for the return transfer, and another noted that the vehicle was crowded.

If you stay in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Sharm El Naga and Viva Blue, you need to select the paid pickup add-on for each participant. Do not assume the Hurghada transfer includes these areas. Check your hotel location carefully at checkout.

The return schedule may depend on the boat reaching port and the driver meeting the group. If you have an evening flight, train, dinner reservation, or another paid activity, leave plenty of space after the stated end of the trip.

The human side of the instruction

The crew earns much of the credit for making this work for beginners. People who feel anxious in the water need more than a quick equipment explanation. They need someone to slow down, listen, and give clear instructions without making the situation feel dramatic.

That is where this outing seems strongest. Staff members have been described as friendly, funny, patient, and serious when it matters. Nassr received a special mention for warm service, while the White Dolphin diving centre was associated with a first-time session that included close support.

The names Omar, Yousef, and Baschar also appear in the supplied material, but in connection with a separate desert activity, so I would not assume they are part of this boat crew. If you want a particular instructor, contact FTS Travels before booking rather than relying on a name.

One small organizational weakness is that you may need to ask where to go or what is happening next. The crew may be busy preparing equipment and moving people through the schedule. Stay alert to the instructions, and ask directly if you are unsure about your next stop.

Is $30 good value?

At $30 per person, this is a strong package if you want a beginner scuba introduction rather than a private or highly specialized course. The price covers hotel pickup and return within Hurghada, the boat trip, two reef stops, instruction, scuba equipment for the appropriate option, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and unlimited soft and hot drinks.

The value is even better if you plan to use both scuba and snorkeling. A single short introductory session with transport can cost a large part of this amount elsewhere, while this trip gives you two attempts and a full day at sea.

The price does not include the certified option. Licensed participants pay an additional €25 per person, so compare the final amount with local certified excursions before booking. The listing also does not provide details about private groups, maximum boat capacity, exact reef names, or underwater depth. Those omissions matter if you want a small-group technical outing.

For most first-timers staying in Hurghada, the basic price is easy to justify. You receive an instructor, food, transport, and enough water time to decide if scuba suits you.

What to pack and what to know

Bring your passport, or a copy if accepted, along with cash. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a camera. Comfortable clothing for the transfer and a light cover-up for the boat are also sensible, though only the listed items are confirmed here.

Do not book if you are pregnant or have heart or respiratory problems. The activity is also not suitable for wheelchair users. Children under 12 may snorkel but cannot take part in the scuba sessions.

The operator offers instruction in English, German, Polish, Arabic, French, and Russian. That language range can be useful, but you should select the language you need and confirm it if clear instruction is important to your safety.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That is helpful in Hurghada, where weather and holiday schedules can change.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to a first-time scuba participant who wants a friendly introduction without committing to a course. The two-session format gives you a second chance after the initial nerves, and the snorkeling stops make the day worthwhile even if you decide scuba is not for you.

It also suits a mixed group. A licensed participant can choose the certified option, while a companion can snorkel and enjoy the boat. Families with children under 12 can join only if they are comfortable with the child snorkeling rather than scuba.

I would choose another option if you need a private instructor, exact reef selection, guaranteed small groups, or a tightly managed transfer schedule. The organization seems generally good, but you may need to take initiative and ask for directions during the day.

Should you book it?

Book this Hurghada trip if your priorities are low cost, two chances to try scuba, helpful instructors, reef snorkeling, and a full boat day with lunch included. The strongest reasons are the patient beginner support, the second underwater session, and the amount covered by the $30 base price.

Think twice if you are licensed but do not want to pay the €25 supplement, or if you need guaranteed door-to-door timing outside Hurghada. For everyone else, this is a practical way to meet the Red Sea underwater without making the day complicated or expensive.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for a first scuba experience?

Yes. The trip is designed for beginners without a license, and certified instructors provide guidance before each underwater session.

How many scuba sessions are included?

The experience includes two scuba sessions at two Red Sea locations, depending on the option selected.

How long does each beginner session last?

An introductory session lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your personal condition.

How long does each certified session last?

A certified session lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on your personal condition. Certified participants must select the certified option.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes, two snorkeling stops and snorkeling equipment are included with the relevant option. Children under 12 may snorkel but cannot scuba.

What is included in the $30 price?

The base price includes Hurghada hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, selected instruction and equipment, two scuba locations, two snorkeling stops, buffet lunch, unlimited soft and hot drinks, and access to showers and bathrooms.

Do hotels outside Hurghada receive pickup?

Pickup from Makadi Bay, Safaga, Soma Bay, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Sharm El Naga and Viva Blue requires a paid add-on selected for each participant.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with heart or respiratory problems, or wheelchair users.